Mali, in the heart of West Africa, has a long and rich past. The tribes Bambara, Songhai, Peul and Mossi have marked the history of Mali.
After the French occupation (since 1883) Mali became independent in 1960.
Four inhabitants of Mechelen sharing the same passion for Mali and the Dogon have set up a collective.

During travels in Mali, the four Mechlinians were very impressed by the culture of the Dogon.
So, in January 2007, they left for Mali to shoot a documentary about these extraordinary people.

“Dogon, why the animals don’t talk anymore”
is the result of their shooting in the country of the Dogon.
 

 
 
Girl and horse – picture from the film

Crew
Cameraman and director: Marc FRANS
Screenplay: Linda DE SMEDT
Research: Rob FEREMANS
Coordination: Batrou SAYE
Continuity: Fatimata TRAORE
Voice-over: Thessy MOERENHOUT and Peter CREMERS
Editing: Steve PITTOORS
Production: Marc FRANS and Linda DE SMEDT
Soundtrack
Rokia Traoré - Boubacar Traoré (Karkar) - Habib Koité - Damon Albarn -Bob Stewart - Chris Joris - Ali Farka Touré & Ry Cooder
Technical credits
Title: “Dogon, why the animals don’t talk anymore ?”
Genre: documentary
Duration: 50 minutes
Camera: Sony HDV
Format: 16:9 widescreen HD/1080i PAL
Available : DVD
               HDCAM
               DIGITAL BETACAM
               Subtitles in English and French

The country of the Dogon is situated in South Mali near the border with Burkina Faso.
The oral tradition tells us that the Dogon after having crossed the Niger, settled down in the cliff of Bandiagara.
The country of the Dogon is one of the most remarkable sites of West Africa.
It is a universe with layered legends, structured around the god Amma, the Nommos, the fetishes, the Hogon, the Sigi and the dances with masks. The Dogon people have kept their animist culture in a country which is mainly Islamic .
The Occident discovered the Dogon thanks to the expeditions of Marcel Griaule in 1931. Nowadays this example of world heritage is threatened by the Sahel, the migration to the cities, the islamification and the tourism. 

Excursions in the country of the Dogon (Encampment BINOU – Tireli) with Batrou Saye.
Guides Touristiques du Mali
PB 222
Mopti - Mali
Tel:  00 223 76 12 62 13
Email:  batrousaye@hotmail.com 
Website: www.mali-trip.com 

 
Development aid

Mali is considered as one of the poorest countries in the world.
In spite of the investments of the government in health care:
- 1 child out of 5 dies before he is five
- 1 child out of 3 is underfed
- malaria affects each family
- outside of towns, medical care is not available for 50% of
   the population
- the literacy rate hardly reaches 26%
- there is drinking water for 50% of the population
- life expectation is 47
 

Our project :
 
1) We have already granted a micro-financing for the construction of an encampment in Tireli (where it is possible to lodge and have meals), run by the local guide Batrou Saye and 4 youngsters from Tireli.
 
2) Restauration of the well near the encampment in Tireli and construction of a new well.
 
3) Training of the youngster Serou Saye from Tireli for nurse at the school Yoland Bresson in Sévaré.
 
4) Construction of a medical aid station.
 
 
Do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you want to support our projects. 
Our bank account number: 737-0212114-18